Aching Hokies squander 11-point lead, fall to UNC Greensboro

Upset by Spartans highlights Virginia Tech's lack of depth

Attrition is piling up in Virginia Tech's basketball program, and it proved costly Saturday as the Hokies squandered an 11-point lead and lost 55-52 to UNC Greensboro at Cassell Coliseum.

From the de-committed Montrezl Harrell to the transferred Robert Brown, to currently injured Adam Smith and the just-departed Marquis Rankin, Tech could have used more depth. The result was an eye-opener that improved to UNCG, a double-digit underdog, to 2-50 all-time against Atlantic Coast Conference teams.

Last season, UNCG gave Virginia Tech all it could handle but still came up a bit short. Forwards Kayel Locke and Kyle Cain made sure that did not happen again.

Thanks to a furious rally in the final minutes, the Spartans (7-7) went home happy.

UNCG, coached by former James Madison and North Carolina guard Wes Miller, went on a 16-5 run in the final 5:30 to stun the home crowd. Locke scored seven points in the final 3:21, and a pair of RJ White free throws sealed the win, the Spartans' first against Tech.

Cain, a transfer from Arizona State, led the Spartans with 18 points.

Virginia Tech forward Jarell Eddie, the ACC's sixth-leading scorer coming into the game, finished with just four points on 1-for-12 shooting. The senior missed his first nine shots from the floor and was held scoreless in the first half.

Considering Eddie's stats through 11 games, the supporting cast was obliged to pick up the slack.

Freshman guard Ben Emelogu paced the Hokies with 11 points and five rebounds.

Center Joey Van Zegeren and forward Marshall Wood anchored the frontcourt, combining for 25 points and 12 rebounds. But Wood struggled late in the game, finishing it in agony.

Coach James Johnson's Hokies entered Saturday with a startling lack of depth in the backcourt, though they began the game leading the nation by shooting 44 percent from 3-point range.

Virginia Tech (7-5) announced Friday that Rankin, a junior guard, has permanently left the program. Rankin, who often played in his first two seasons, had yet to dress in a game this season, citing personal issues for his absence.

Tech also played without Smith, a guard who continues to nurse a nagging calf injury that has hampered him throughout the season. Smith is averaging 13.1 points per game.

Prior to the season, the NCAA ruled guard Malik Mueller ineligible for the season. That left freshman Devin Wilson as the only point guard on the roster. Wilson, averaging 33 minutes per game, gave the Hokies seven points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Despite the win, UNCG struggled to find offense all afternoon, shooting 36.5 percent from the floor. Forwards Nicholas Paulos and Tyrone Outlaw each added six points for the Spartans.

The Hokies, who were hammered the previous Saturday by VCU, could use a routine victory. They'll try to get one at home Tuesday against Maryland Eastern Shore.